illiam David McKinney was born February 7, 1901 in Sulphur Wells, Kentucky. He left home at an early age and joined the United States Army. While in the service, he was accused of punching his sergeant in the nose, and was given the choice of a dishonorable discharge or service in Alaska. He chose Alaska. He first arrived in Chilkoot barracks, Haines, in 1918. Bill, as he was known, was soon transferred to Anchorage, where the military detachment was in need of his skills as a bugler.

In Anchorage he met Alice Loftquist, who had come to Anchorage with her parents in 1915 from in Portland, Oregon, where she was born. Alice’s father, Carl Loftquist, built the Kenai Hotel, the first rooming house in Anchorage. It was located on the north side of 4th Avenue between B and C Streets. Mrs. Loftquist, Alice’s mother, operated the hotel while Carl plied his trade as plumber. Mrs. Loftquist died in 1929, and Carl died in Portland, Oregon a short time later. She is buried in Tract 3, Anchorage Memorial Park Cemetery and Carl is buried in Portland, Oregon,

Bill McKinney and Alice Loftquist were married in Anchorage in 1920, and lived in various locations prior to owning their own home. For a period of time, Bill worked for the Alaska Railroad at Moose Creek and at Girdwood. He next lived on the McCain Ranch, on Spenard Road near what was then called Deadman’s Curve, and tried a hand at raising turkeys, which was unsuccessful because a loose dog killed all of the birds. In 1929, Bill acquired a new truck and, with partner Jerry Sigmund, started the Federal Transfer Company, doing general hauling of materials including coal and wood.

In the meantime his family kept growing, and he needed steady employment. He was offered a job with the railroad again, this time in the mechanical department shops. He then worked as relief man in the fire department and in a matter of years worked his way up to being the railroad’s fire chief.

In 1934, the McKinneys acquired a homestead at Fireweed Lane that ran from Arctic Boulevard to B Street. A cabin on the homestead became their new home, and they constantly kept improving the home and property. Bill became active over the years in helping to develop the Spenard Volunteer Fire Department. He was elected to the board of the first Anchorage Independent School District.

Bill retired from the Railroad in 1952 after twenty-seven years of government service. Not one to remain idle, he started a landscaping business and operated it for ten years. In 1962 he sold out his business, and he and Alice moved to Forest Grove, Oregon. Alice died in 1971 in Oregon, and soon after her death Bill moved to Scottsburg, Indiana to be with his widowed sisters. He passed away in the Veterans Hospital in Portland, Oregon in 1995 at the age of ninety-five.

Bill and Alice McKinney were one of only two couples married in Anchorage in 1920. In 1970, they received recognition for this from Anchorage’s mayor, as part of the commemoration of the city’s 50th Anniversary celebration.

William D. and Alice McKinney had five children. Son William, Jr. and his wife Thelma’s family included daughter Mary Cooper and sons William III, Michael, Mark, Brian and Richard . William McKinney, Jr. died in 2001. Daughter Eva married Ed Snyder had they had three children; Thomas III, William and John. Eva passed away in 1980. Daughter Clara married John Robinson and they had three children; Connie Robinson Bruhn, John, Jr. and Bonnie Robinson Spier. John Robinson, Sr. died in 1998. Son Herbert McKinney and his wife had two sons, Lee, and David, who died in 2003. Daughter Shirley McKinney Briggs Clark had no children.